Tritone Scale – Pattern No.1

The tritone scale is created from two major triads that are a tritone apart. In this case, I’m using the G and Db major triads that result in a hexatonic scale G-Ab-B-Db-Dn-F and can be used for altered dom7 lines over both G7 and Db7. This scale can be played in position on the guitar using three distinct patterns, or modes. The 1st mode pattern starts on the root of each triad, the 2nd mode starts on the third of each triad, and the 3rd mode starts on the fifth of each triad.

When played in position, each 4-note cell in the ascending sequence always begins on a chord tone of one triad, and every cell of the descending sequence starts on a chord tone of the triad that is a tritone away.

For example, in the “1st Mode – G” pattern, each ascending 4-note cell begins with a note of the G major triad (G-B-D). Descending down through the scale in position, each 4-note cell begins with a note of the Db major triad (Db-F-Ab). Click here Tritone Scale Pattern No.1 to download the PDF or scroll down past the video to view them in JPEG.

About

Pete Weise is a professional guitarist and educator based in Dallas,TX. In addition to club dates and session work, Mr. Weise’s credits include the Texas Tenors, the Plano Symphony, the Lone Star Jazz Orchestra, the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, Saratoga Arts Fest and has performed with Wayne Burgeron, Tom “Bones” Malone and Clay Jenkins. He holds a B.M. and M.M. in Jazz Performance from the University of North Texas and has studied with Fred Hamilton, Jimi Tunnell, John McLean, Jeff Andrews, Brad Shepik and Dave Fiuczynski. | Read More